It has been great fun to be involved in Shirty Science this year and to team up with Dr Marija Mustac as ‘Project Earthquake’. What a terrific initiative by Madison Hartill-Law to come up with the idea of Shirty Science – check out: website and facebook page.

Marija and I have completed our project design which will be released soon via Shirty Science – so no sneak peek just yet!!

However, I wanted to sketch out my thoughts on one sheet to document my thoughts and have as a keepsake. I do tend to use post-it (sticky notes) to think through ideas and this sheet actually starts with my first sketch ‘taking shape’ as I contemplated how I would exchange ideas with my scientist partner, Marija. Interesting how Marija’s research focuses on tracking earthquakes and I have experienced quite a few from living in Taiwan … a great start for the both of us!! Anyway, not to discuss our completed design but to post this page as an insight to the experience for me. Keep a look out for all this year’s fabulous designs from Shirty Science.

Preparing for the forthcoming SciArt Workshop (LAB) 2017 in the US. A post-conference 2016: ‘Discovering the Deep Blue Sea’ Keck Futures funding initiative at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution with fellow collaborators (Artists & Scientists). It is going to be exciting to meet everyone again and participate in this experimental lab.

A new work from the Orchid Research Series that originated at the Orchid Research and Development Centre at the National Cheng Kung University. This work is a tribute to the ORDC and to Professor Hong-Hwa and her team, as my orchid research experiment project and the work I currently have in progress is influenced by the innovative and experimental nature of this lab.

I am also looking for other research partners to continue the work here in Australia and Internationally.

What an end to a great semester at National Cheng Kung University and having enjoyed being part of bringing this Techno Art Program into existence. Wonderful to have received my full Professorship and to have worked with some amazing colleagues and students. It will be exciting to hear of the 1st Techno Arts Masters students, 2017 graduation, and I hope they visit Australia in the future. This last semester was special by introducing students to science-art and to develop their research in collaboration with the Orchid Research and Development Centre (ORDC), NCKU. I will post more about my own research with ORDC soon. Now to life back in Australia 😀

The Techno Art Professor’s (Eleanor Gates-Stuart) office busy: A launch soon in association with the NCKU Orchid Center. The artists are creating some very cool works from their research at National Cheng Kung University.

Mazoo, a mythological science-art spaceship laboratory travelling the galaxy (in this case the internet) in its journey, sharing knowledge of the wonderful plant species, the Orchid. Professor Eleanor Gates-Stuart and Postgraduate students (Techno Art) at National Cheng Kung University.

Orchid Team:

Artist

Orchid Partner

Jimmy Hung

洪凱祥

Yu Fu Lin

林玉富

Hsiang-hsi

呂祥熙

Lu, Cai-Fan

盧采樊

Rider Chen

陳相丞

You-Yi Chen

陳佑亦

Jiun-Kai Huang

黃俊凱

Hsin Huang

黃歆

Jessica Chen

陳瀅守

Wu, Wan-Lin

吳宛霖

Lu, Wei-yu

盧威聿

Xu, Rui-ling

許瑞鈴

Ace

林信宏

Chia-Chi Hsu

許家齊

Prof Eleanor Gates-Stuart

愛莉諾

Prof Hong-Hwa Chen

陳虹樺

(Nicole) Pei-Han Lai

賴姵含

A big “thank you” – Techno Art and the Orchid Research and Development Centre, NCKU

Acknowledgements:

We would like to express our thanks to the Orchid Research and Development Center (ORDC) for their kindness and support in collaborating with the artists in the Techno Art Program 1051. We wish the very best for all their research and future success.

Congratulations to all applicants who entered this year’s Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize and for providing a challenging and exciting opportunity for the judging panel to select works for the prizes and also for the exhibition. The world of natural science is truly amazing, as shown through the works of all the contributing artists and confirmed by the diversity of the artworks entered. The intellect and intensity of Natural Science as an influential content is counterbalanced with works that resonate of personal and passionate conviction for natural science, close up, in our lives and of the wider planet.

If you have a chance to visit the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize 2016 at the South Australia Museum it will certainly be worthwhile. The exhibition showcases the finalist’s artworks drawn from the Open and Emerging Artist categories exploring the theme of Natural Science within their artwork. This year’s winner of the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize is artist, Julia deVille, for her stunning artwork, Neapolitan Bonbonaparte and artist, Dan Power as winner for the Emerging Artist category for his intriguing artwork, G(RAZED).

This year video works were included in the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, entries in any form of visual fine art were eligible with the exception of photography.

Revisiting artworks ‘Virus’ … actually these ones were never really completed rather a state of mind – thoughts expressed as video installations. The theme lead to other things such as my focus on Science+Art and the opportunity to research bioinformatics and genetic variation through other works such as ‘StellrScope’ and ‘FingerCodes’.

Amazing to see my family’s involvement in my work, how they have been a part of my work (always) and with tremendous respect to them.

Acknowledgement: Auguste Soesastro who kindly provided his textile works for adaption in the artworks

Amazing support from Mineral Resources at CSIRO WA for ‘Under the Surface’, Scitech Artist Residency 2016 – Eleanor Gates-Stuart. Busy few days dashing between Scitech and CSIRO WA in bringing together Art+Science+Technology. Well done CSIRO for engaging with artists.

Exploring spaces at Scitech WA as planning for my Artist in Residence work is under development. A few days to meet with the amazing team of staff and enjoying seeing the exhibits full of visitors – so much fun.

Will keep posting about the project especially as we move nearer the date to the launch. Had a great look around all the spaces and saw a super cool exhibition about to open. I had a special peek of the exhibition behind the scenes. Lots to think about…………

Scitech Residency 2016

Dr Eleanor Gates-Stuart

Designs coming along for the project: currently working on the still images taken from my visits to WA mining fields. A bit of a delay since being overseas but hopefully back on track. Video files next with research images from scientists at CSIRO.

Very excited to be taking up this overseas appointment in Taiwan having worked on many collaborative projects there over the years. This will be an opportunity to develop international research , artistic opportunities, projects and international networks.

Looking forward to be working and living between Taiwan and home in Australia, continuing my passion for science, arts and technology. Happy to hear from artists interested in developing research projects in these areas.

Acknowledgements: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) ANU, Scitech

The Creatives gallery showcases artists, designers, and creative technologists whose work has been informed or influenced by science and technology. Artists create, shape, reflect, and define our society — their contribution is critical to any human rights movement. This gallery seeks to recognize the critical role of artists and creative practitioners in imagining and realizing a more gender equitable future.

PhD thesis and final seminar complete. Created this image ‘Discovery’ to celebrate the research.

PhD Research study at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Australian National University & the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Amazing ‘insects’ hit the catwalk in FASHFEST, as the science inspired insect prints were proudly showcased in the Scientist fashion theme. Almost ironic as the designs are 3D insect body maps … rewrapped as swimwear and stunning in their appearance. Five designs were selected from Eleanor’s collection, images that form part of her research at CSIRO (Computational Informatics Division) and the ANU (CPAS) reflecting her focus in science+art+technology.

Working on the ‘Scientist’ theme for FASHFEST has certainly thrown a different perspective on the research I normally undertake in my science art focus and one that is truly exciting. Seeing images take on a new aesthetic in the form of fabric design and applied to the FASHFEST scientist theme for swimwear is an interesting direction.

Admittedly the lab coats have crept into the spotlight and to be honest an image I have not attached to my work before given it is usually the science itself I have been focused on. However, seeing the fun that the public has in wearing the lab coats and taking on the persona of scientist in the learning environment at CSIRO Discovery Centre captured my attention.

Although the lab coats only have a few seconds appearance as the science inspired fabric prints and swimsuits are the main feature, I am already thinking about the potential of them in future concepts. Collaborators are most welcome.

The 3D animated ‘Grassland’ sequence provides the stunning design for one of the FASHFEST contemporary swimwear. The palm beetle and cicada (from the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO) are amongst the featured ‘stars’ in the designs, although they might be rather hard to find in the sheer brilliance and pattern of the printed fabric.

The other four designs are full of colour as you can imagine with such beautiful Australian insects as inspiration. These will be revealed on the night at FASHFEST.

Bugs make it to the fashion walkway at FASHFEST. Well sort of… Eleanor’s insect artwork is fused in a myriad of design as fashion fabrics for swimwear. A rather unusual brief and a very exciting challenge as one of the three artists selected by FASHFEST producer, Steve Wright, to contribute to the fashion event. Eleanor whose research with CSIRO and CPAS (ANU) specialises in using her art to illuminate science research and collaboration, such as, her designs for FASHFEST that focus on the 3D construction of insects for the Australian National Insect Collection (CSIRO) with the Division of Computational Informatics.

The FASHFEST theme of ‘Scientist’ fits perfectly with Eleanor’s own PhD research study in science and art, especially with her collaborative partnership with Dr Chuong Nguyen in their exploration of 3D printing of titanium insects and interactive exhibits, such as StellrScope.

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3D Titanium Bugs on exhibition at Embracing Innovation Volume 3

“Eleanor Gates-Stuart has worked as part of a team also, with scientists and computer experts at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) providing specific expertise. As part of her Canberra Centenary science art commission StellrScopE, the team used a 3D scanner to map weevils and other bugs and insects, and enlarge them with detail intact. Such art and science collaborations are increasingly common, for instance the Synapse initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian Network for Technology2 has facilitated collaborations between artists and scientists on a variety of projects over the last ten years.

Artworks produced during Gates-Stuart’s collaboration include two dimensional images and a group of three dimensional bugs printed in titanium and patinated in strong bright colour. The ‘re-birthed’ bugs, enlarged beyond their true size, are strange hybrids; neither toy nor specimen, props perhaps in a science fiction film or animation. Spot lit in the gallery this sense of the filmic is amplified”.

Mr Peter King is the Manager of Green Growth Partnerships and Design Integration and the Secretariat Australian Design Integration Network at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).

Thursday, 18 July to Saturday, 24 August 2013

The development of Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) has seen changes take place within the Creative Arts in Australian tertiary institutions. Primary practice-based and practice-led research has been incorporated into universities research recognition and funding frameworks. Concurrently, craft practitioners and designer makers are embracing digital technologies, research and design thinking, with innovation and advances in these areas changing the way they engage, design and create.

In response, Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre presents, Embracing Innovation Volume 3, an exhibition showcasing innovation in the creative arts, with a particular focus on craft and design. The exhibition showcases makers who are exploring these new areas of practice.

New work in development, exploring 3D Printing and Titanium in collaboration with Chuong Nguyen at CSIRO. The above image is the first prototype ‘hot off the bed’ following testing. For more information regarding the 3D Bugs please contact us.